It’s Almost Time For Kick-off!
The 2023-2024 fixture list has now ben published, and there are a handful of friendlies to get us in the mood. The footie drought is nearly over and Stanley is ready to go! See below for OASST board member Eugene Carroll’s take on what the new season holds for us.
The club even has a brilliant new kit design with an iconic ‘Nori’ motif; here’s hoping we can present a sold brick wall to all of our opponents this coming season. See below for more information on prices and sizing.
Meanwhile, please enjoy reading the latest edition of the OASST Newsletter, I hope you will find some items of interest. If you would like to comment on anything included here, or, even better, would like to contribute to future editions, please contact editor@onstanleyon.com
Mike Procter, editor.
Annual Membership Now Due
The OASST Membership Year runs from 1st July until 30th June, so your membership has now expired.
The good news is that you can renew for the insanely low price of only FIVE of your English Pounds! Yes, for just a fiver you get not only a whole year’s membership of the Official Supporters’ Trust, but also your own snazzy little badge to wear on your best suit to show the world that you follow a proper football club.
To renew your membership, or to join, please visit our Membership Page and follow the instructions there. Do it now and be the envy of all your friends and co-workers.
Monthly Members’ Draw Winners
Congratulations to our 3 recent monthly members draw winners who have each won a £40 voucher to spend in the Stanley club shop;
April – 638 Vincent Booth
May – 755 Paul Atkinson
June – 282 Geoff Lund
With the 2023/24 season fast approaching, make sure you either renew your membership or become a member for the first time so you are entered into our July draw, and it could be you winning our next £40 voucher! It’s only £5 for the full season, and you can sign up here.
(Recent prizewinners will be contacted shortly with details of how to claim the vouchers)
AGM: 7:30pm 24th August in Coley’s
Click here for the Agenda for the forthcoming AGM on 24th August
If any member wants to add any agenda items then they must get the details to Peter Warburton at finance@onstanleyon.com no later than 24th July 2023
Away Travel
We will be running travel for the 2023/4 season, people must be OASST members to travel so they need to renew.
Prices will be announced in the next couple of weeks
Please visit the Away Travel page on our website to read more.
Looking Ahead
by Eugene Carroll
We were talking the other day about the season ahead, and Mike asked me to put a few words together to get my perspective; that’s all this is – it’s simply my viewpoint.
As fans, I feel we’ve been spoiled in the last 5 years and have become a little complacent about our League One status, competing with the Sheffield Wednesdays, the Derby Countys and the Sunderlands. Our finances don’t begin to compare and despite being written off year after year, with low comparative budgets, we managed to stay in League One, which has been a marvellous achievement for everyone connected with the club.
The reality of a League Two season became clear with the release of the fixture list: it’s games against the likes of Salford, Grimsby and Gillingham that we can look forward to. There are plenty of Northern teams in the division which means some relatively short away trips and a chance to play some teams and visit places we haven’t been to for a while.
Our playing budget has been reduced, with more players likely to leave, to balance the books before the management team can bring one or two in. We already know the plan this season is to work with a smaller first team squad, with maybe the emphasis on a little more quality. The reduced budget is a factor of being in League Two – less solidarity payments, less TV money and probably less in gate receipts. Andy Holt has said on many occasions that he won’t bankrupt the club trying to buy success; I don’t see him changing his view on that, so we’ll live within our means. One of the consequences of that is not being able to make any signings just yet. For me, this close season is like it used to be where we seemed to do our business late on in the transfer window with loan signings playing a big part. I’m sure the management team don’t quite see it like that as I’m sure they’d like more or less the squad at the start of pre-season. I don’t think our squad will be finalised until 23:59 on 31 August!
It’s vital we’re in the EFL come the start of the 2024/25 season with a changed monetary allocation from the new TV deal, and, with everything considered, including a playing budget that’s likely to be one of the lowest in League Two, from my point of view, a mid table finish with a cup run would be a good season. Anything else would be a bonus.
I’m trying to be realistic rather than overly optimistic or too pessimistic, and like we all say, the game’s all about opinions!
POEM PIE & PINT
by Sharon Jones (aka PunkBee63)
Start of new season
The pitch looking bright
A pre match day ritual
A Poem Pie and Pint
A glossy new programme
Like dreams newly born
Wrap banners with wishes.
A new day will dawn.
The players now left
And the new ones to show
League 2 it is
Let’s give it a go
So, here’s to the Stanley
As the fixtures alight
With hope in your heart and
A poem pie and pint.
2023 Annual Golf Day
Against a backdrop of some fairly inclement East Lancashire weather we were delighted to see the afternoon of Tuesday, the 4th of July arrive bright and sunny for the annual Accrington Stanley golf day, hosted at Accrington Golf Club by the Supporters’ Trust.
The day being jointly sponsored by CSM Steel Stockholders and BRSK.
This year we were delighted to welcome a nearly full complement of 20 teams into the event, each three-person team being joined by a member of the football club staff or player.
After a quick lunch and a brief photo call for all the teams , everyone made their way to their allocated tee box for the 1 pm shotgun start .
Upon completion of the 18 holes, all retired for welcome a bit of refreshment at the 19th hole, prior to an evening meal and the prize presentation.
The chair of the Supporters’ Trust, Peter Leatham, presented the prizes, kindly sponsored by Hindle, Jepson and Jennings and Haworth financial services to the following prizewinners .
Nearest the pin 12th hole – Dan Martin
Longest drive 6th joke- Jack Smith
Nearest the pin in 2 on 18th hole- Ged Brannan
Team runners up – 88 points
Haydock Finance team 1- Ben Killeen, Richard Fothergill, Jordan Brooks & John Coleman – 88 points
Team winners . Retaining their title
WDS – Sam Evans. Ste Evans, Pete Evans & Dan Martin – 89 points.
Once again, a great event and well supported by all and a big thanks to all our sponsors and we are already planning for the 2024 event.
Talking A Load Of Balls
A FREE session, with Jimmy Bell, open to all – just come along for a chat, hopefully to assist with everyone’s mental health.
Last Thursday of every month:
- Thursday 27th July
- Thursday 31st August
- Thursday 28th September
- Thursday 26th October
- Thursday 30th November
Talking Balls
by Eugene Carroll OASST Board member
One of the great things about sport is that its language is universal. Whatever sort of sports you’ve a passion for, cricket, snooker, football or something else, often this passion can be a bond with complete strangers and, very quickly lead to discussion and friendships, all started from this shared interest.
Research tells us that participating in sport is good for our general health and talking about sport is good for our overall well being. That’s where ‘Talking Balls’ (excuse my ‘French’!) can play a part.
This initiative is the brainchild of Jimmy Bell and aims to get people together once a month to have a chat about all things sport – the state of play in the cricket, the Grand Prix, how great that a British tennis player has made it to the second round of Wimbledon, the PGA/LIV situation in golf – whatever is the order of the day, a sporting quiz, and, of course, Stanley!
There’s even a chance for a competitive element to try your hand at indoor bowls, Boules, curling or table tennis. The sessions run on the last Thursday of each month from 1.30-3.30 at the Sports Hub, are free to join in, and there’s a free brew and a biscuit too!
The OASST supports the events and we’d encourage you, if you’ve the opportunity, to join in and have a chat.
Andy Speaks
“Whether I like it or not, we’re in League Two. It doesn’t upset me. I’d have rather stayed in League One, but we’re going to have years when we’re going to succeed and we’re going to have years when we fail”
42 minute interview video with Andy Holt
Stanley were back
by Lindon Boast
We were back and oh so proud
as we emerged through the haze
Leyland Motors, Wren Rovers
these were happy days
Formby with its squirrels
Marine only had three sides
Couldn’t get a pie or a pint
Not many then in good grub guide
Stanley taking thirty away
Winning most of the games
Happy to be back
And forget about our shame
Tuesday night at Bamber Bridge
Standing in the rain
No worries about parking here
We all came on the train
Frickley with its slag heap
Emley on the hill
Some great aways in Yorkshire
Fond memories of them still
Moving on and moving up
Such a long way to go
How far we would eventually climb
None of us could know
So to all our newer fans
Who moan about league two
We are a long long way from Frickley
And they have stopped saying Stanley WHO !!!
Casualty Updates
- Best wishes to David Burgess (Stanley’s MD) who is recovering from a knee operation in Wrightington Hospital. Look after yourself, mate!
- Also, we send our warmest regards to OASST Vice Chair, Ken Jefferson, now back home, but on crutches for the next four weeks. No time to malinger, Ken, we need you up front knocking in the goals!
New Kit Now Available
Pride and Passion – Accrington Stanley and Macron are delighted to launch the club’s new bespoke 2023/24 home kit, celebrating the colours, symbols, history and proud traditions of the town!
First produced at a brickworks adjacent to the Whinney Hill quarry, Nori bricks are famed for their strength and were used for the foundations of the Blackpool Tower, the Empire State Building, and The Haçienda.
Having been manufactured in direct collaboration between club staff and the Macron design team, the embroidered crest and Macron Hero take pride of place on the left and the right of the chest respectively.
The new bespoke 2023/24 home kit is completed with red shorts and red socks.
Stanley’s Managing Director, David Burgess said: “The move to Macron has given the club an opportunity to introduce a bespoke home shirt for the first time in over six years.
“The Nori design brings part of the town’s history to the fore and gives the kit that local touch.
“It is important we embed the history of the town into the football club and this is one way of doing it.”
The shirt is now available to purchase from the OASST Market shop, with prices below:
- Adult Shirts (M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL and 4XL) – £39.99.
- Kids’ Shirts (5XS, 4XS, 3XS, XXS, XS and S) – £29.99.
Please see the Macron sizing chart below, the shirts are ‘snug’ and you probably need one size larger than previously. Our chairman’s shirt, previously XL, has gone to XXL whilst he claims that he hasn’t!
Club 1968
Started in late 2020, building on the runaway success of the lockdown on-line 50/50 draw, Club 1968 has been a remarkable accomplishment of fund-raising for the club, and prizes for people you know. To date, there has been over £40,000 given back in prizes, with a similar amount raised for the club.
To make it even easier for fans to join in, Club 1968 has set up a new method of signing up, to read more about Club 1968, and to be in with a chance every month of winning £1000, please visit the Club 1968 page by following this link.
Recent Winners:
All winners can be seen by visiting the Club 1968 page
Concerns, Ideas, Comments & Questions
The Supporters’ Trust is you, the fans’, voice and body to get things done with our football club.
We welcome your thoughts and ideas as well as any concerns (off the pitch) you may have regarding the running and day to day operations within Accrington Stanley.
We welcome suggestions as to how we make things better, either as a fan experience, or in growing our overall fanbase.
We will then take these on board and respond accordingly.
We meet at least once a quarter with our club and discuss a wide range of topics but are always happy to add to our agenda.
It’s your trust and club!
Supporters’ Chaplain
As I write this article there are only a couple of days before our first friendly against our neighbours Blackburn Rovers. I am hoping that there will be quite a few trialists on show with the promise of making it into the first team at the start of August for the 2023/4 campaign in League Two.
It is imperative that as many Stanley fans are there to support the lads on the first match of the season, at home to Newport County on Saturday, 5th August at 3pm. There have been a lot of frustrations voiced on social media with players leaving and that it seems that none are coming our way. However, we need to get behind the staff and show our support as they always seem to find a hidden gem in the footballing world. It must be disheartening for them to hear/read a lot of the comments (everyone is entitled to their opinion by the way) but we need to stay together and strive to go back into League One next May!
Another important date for your diary – Wednesday, 26th July when you can come along and pick up your season ticket for next season. I believe that season ticket sales have been very good even though we were relegated. Members of OASST will be on hand to have a chat. Also Jodie will be around representing #HerGameToo; and I will be there as well (giving away some goodies along with flyers promoting my Chaplaincy Services).
Do come along to Coley’s to have a chat – I might have a drink or two with you!
And another date – Sunday, 30th July at Clitheroe Football Club at 2pm – Lee and Ibby’s Memorial Match. Ticket prices Adults £5 and Children £2. All proceeds will be going to British Heart Foundation and East Lancashire Hospice. There will be a raffle, tombola and an auction. This looks like it will be a great afternoon in memory of two great guys who were well known staff around the Wham Stadium until their sudden deaths.
Finally, some more sad news from our club this week with the death of Phil Carter, a familar face around the Wham Stadium, who worked as a matchday safety steward. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
As always let’s look out for one another and keep the faith.
Deb
Help
Useful numbers of some organizations:
Lancashiremind Local Mental Health Support 0800 953 0110
Samaritans Call 116 123 24hrs
Papyrus (Suicide prevention for under 35s) Hopeline UK 0800 068 4141 Mon-Fri 10am-10pm Sat-Sun 12 noon-12 midnight
Childline 0800 1111
Carers’ helpline (run by people with experience in care for people with MH issues) 0333 103 9747
Maundy Relief Counselling Service 01254 233 457 counselling@maundyrelief.org.uk
Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline-Refuge 0808 2000 247 (24hrs)
To contact Debra, the Supporters’ Chaplain,
please email chaplain@onstanleyon.com
